Flute History

The Legend:
The most popular legend of the flute's origin says: One day, while hunting, a young hunter fell into a dreamlike state. He heard a strange haunting music, and followed the sound. He found that the music was coming from an old tree branch. There was a woodpecker making holes in the branch, trying to make a meal of the termites that had hollowed out the branch. As the wind blew across the holes in the hollow wood, the branch sang. As the bird hopped across the branch, it covered some of the holes, and created the melodic effect. The young man awoke, and was inspired to create the first Native American Flute.

Throughout history the Native American Flute has gone by many names. The uses have been as varied as the names. Those names include the Peace, Love, Courting, Healing, and Ceremonial Flute. Some used the flute in various spiritual ceremonies, while some used it to impress the ladies.

Courting/Love Flutes:
A young woman would speak words to a young man, and he would translate her words into music. If the young man could impress the young lady with his ability to tune into the emotions behind her words, and to express them on his flute he would have the girl for his bride. By utilizing the deeply emotional sound of the flute, he proves his ability to understand her deeper feelings and express them in return. Sounds much more romantic than the lame pickup lines many young men use these days, doesn't it?

Ceremonial Flutes:
Some tribes used the flute in different ceremonies. That is why the mythological flute player, Kokopelli, appears on so many flutes and traditional designs. Kokopelli is said to be the god of good harvest.

Meditative/Healing Flutes:
Other tribes found use for the flute in meditation and healing ceremonies. Try playing or listening to the Native American Flute and not getting lost in the sound, rhythm, and feeling. The soothing tones of the flute seem to reach to the deepest part of you, and relax your spirit as well as your body and mind. The relaxing feeling and deeply meditative state that can be achieved through the Native American Flute is seen as highly bennificial to a person's health. Some would accredit this to the breath control used to play the flute, but many of us prefer to see it as the magic that is the Native American Flute.

Making the Native American Flute:
It is said that when a flute is made, the flute maker removes the dry dead heart from something that used to be alive and beautiful. When a flute is played, the heart of the flute player is instilled into the flute and the wood is alive and beautiful once again. When a person can find a way to become one with nature, there is no sweeter song. The harmony of such a union is sweet music for a from the soul.